Purchased after MUCH research

After examining my finances some months ago, I decided that I could afford a new, rather than another used, car. I thus embarked upon a research frenzy in order to determine the perfect car for me, and one that would last for years to come.
Originally, I was turned off the Prelude's "200 horsepower" rating as being too weak for a sports car, and its lack of additional appointments (such as no leather seating option, no 'premium' sound system option, etc.). To summarize my endeavors- wow, was I ever misguided.
After driving the 2001 Base Honda Prelude, I quickly realized there was nothing "base" about it. I like that Honda offers virtually no options on the Preludes- all come with A/C, 6 speaker sound system, the same engine, and the same sized tires.
I was initially ambivalent about the prospect of a manual transmission. After driving an automatic for so many years, I would likely hate it during rush hour, but love it during those open-road stints in the evening. Needless to say, after driving it, I couldn't understand why Honda would even offer an automatic transmission. The manual is such a pleasure to drive, I don't even notice it during city driving.

The engine, which I initially branded as "too small" (although I am a big Honda fan), proved itself to me as soon as I left the dealer's lot. The 2.2 liter DOHC VTEC 200-hp engine doesn't just rev up- it SLIDES up to a 7400rpm redline. Never have I driven such a smooth engine, and I fell in love immediately. Allegedly, the 0-60 time is 6.7 seconds, although it feels much quicker than that.
Turning to the interior, one sees something reminiscent of an early 1990's Accord. Very simple, but very elegant. The ergonomics are amazing, with Honda putting every control just within arm's reach. I like the sunroof control on the left of the steering wheel, which eliminates passengers fiddling with my roof while I drive. A/C is frosty cold, while the heat could warm dinner if turned all the way up.
The sound system- another original point of contention between myself and the Prelude- is quite good. Well-mounted tweeters provide crisp high-end response, while the 6.5" speakers in the door (and 6 by 9s in the back) provide excellent bass. Controls for the stereo are again, elegant and simple.
From the outside, the Prelude looks stunning, rather like a car of mystery. 16 inch alloy wheels are of fantastic Honda quality, and the windshield is open for a good view of the road. The trunk is a little more than I expected from a sporty coupe, and with the ability to fold down the seats, I can still store a fair amount of cargo without too much pain.
On the downside, the rear seats aren't really functional. Since they don't fit adults over 5' tall, they are pretty much a novelty. I would have preferred some intricate storage facility (or maybe a mini-fridge...) instead. Even a bench seat in the back would be preferable. Additionally, parallel parking (or simply backing up) is hindered by the high viewing angle of the rear window, but not tremendously so. Used while driving, the rear window has excellent road visibility, however.

To illustrate the Honda Prelude experience, allow me an analogy:
Consider walking into a local electronics superstore, and browsing through the home stereo department. On many of the CD changers, especially the cheaper ones, you will find flashly lights, strange LEDs, and weird backlit displays of irrelevant colors and text. Once the salesman thinks that you might be spending some real money, he brings you to the high-end stereo department, where you find sleek, simple, unpretentious designs. More than likely, many will have a receptacle for the CDs, volume/track control, and that's it.

The Prelude is much like the expensive, high-end stereo in this analogy. While other cars offer a cluttered interior with gauges and controls, noisy engines and fake air scoops on the hood or brakes, the Prelude remains elegant and sophisticated. Honda does not try to fool their customer into thinking they somehow bought a Mercedes-Benz through poor quality leather and obtrusive dashboards. Instead, Honda produces a high-quality car that does not overstep its boundaries, and remains totally unpretentious. Everything that a driver needs is immediately accessible, and all refinements are attended to.

Of course, couple these attributes with a Honda reputation for longevity and enduring quality, and you have an excellent buy in the 2001 Honda Prelude.